Question

Why was the tennis court oath ( in the french revolution) an important event and why was it significant

Answer 1

i) On 5th may 1789, Louis XVI called on a assembly of the

estate general to pass proposal for the new taxes. The

first and the second estates sent 300 representatives

each, while 600 members of the 3rd estate were sent by.

ii) Voting in the Estate General in the past was done

according to the principal and each state had one vote,

but members of the 3rd estate demanded that voting now

be conducted as a whole where each member would have one

vote.

iii) When the King rejected the proposal the 3rd estate

walked out in protest. On 20 June they assembled in the

hall of indoor tennis court in the grounds of

Versailles. They declared themselves as the national

assembly and swore not to disperse till they had drafted

the constitution of France that would limit the powers

of the monarch.

iv) While the national assembly was busy at Versailles

drafting the constitution, the rest of France seethed

with turmoil. A severe winter had meant a bad harvest

the price of bread rose and the crowds were angry. On 14

July the agitated stormed and destroyed the Bastille.

Thus, started the French revolution.